Off season camping is over.

See our list of park opening dates for more information

Off Season Camping ends May 1st

Groups that wish to camp in the off season will need a Special Use Permit and need to submit their request at least two weeks in advance.

All others, please submit your request at least three days in advance.

Off season camping is generally available November 1 - May 1. Also see our regular operating schedule.

For your safety and protection, you must submit a Request for Off Season Camping form (downloadable pdf) to the regional office for the park you intend to visit. A parks manager will contact you to confirm your request. Mac Users: You cannot use "Preview" - you have to use Adobe Reader.

Here are some important things you need to know about off season camping in the parks:

• Most campground access roads are either gated or not plowed, so you will likely have to walk to your site.
• Please park only in a manner that allows access by others and please drive only on established roadways or parking areas.
• There are no water supply, restroom or refuse removal services or facilities.  Please carry in and carry out your own supplies, including all trash, garbage and human waste. Do your best to leave the area in as good or better condition than you found it .
• Snow plowing arrangements vary by location.  Be prepared to dig yourselves out in the event of inclement weather.
• Have a plan.  Public phones in parks are few and often out of service during the off season.  Cell phone coverage is sporadic at best and absent entirely in some locations.
• Campsite selection is on a first come-first served basis.  You may have to select an alternate campsite if you find the one you’d hoped for already occupied.
• Groups may need to obtain a special use permit from the state park regional office, and fees may be charged. Please allow 2-4 weeks for groups requests to be processed.
• Park staff are only present sporadically during the off season.  We invite you to be our “eyes and ears” by please reporting to us (parks@state.vt.us) after your visit if you notice or discover anything amiss or out of the ordinary (examples:  vandalism, break-ins, inappropriate facility use, etc.)

Parks that permit off season camping:

Allis, Ascutney, Big Deer, Bomoseen, Branbury, Brighton, Burton Island, Button Bay, Camp Plymouth, Coolidge, DAR, Elmore, Emerald Lake, Fort Dummer, Gifford Woods, Grand Isle, Green River Reservoir, Half Moon, Jamaica, Kettle Pond, Knight Island, Lake Carmi, Lake Shaftsbury, Lake St. Catherine, Little River, Maidstone, Molly Stark, Mt. Philo, New Discovery, North Hero, Quechee, Ricker Pond, Silver Lake, Smugglers' Notch, Stillwater, Townshend, Underhill, Wilgus, Woodford, Woods Island

Off Season Day Use

Looking to visit for the day, maybe for some snowshoeing or some sledding? You are welcome to enter the parks for day use anytime, just keep in mind the following:

• Please park only in a manner that allows access by others and please drive only on established roadways or parking areas.
• Water supply, restroom or refuse removal services or facilities are closed for the season.
• Leave No Trace: Carry In/CarryOut
  
• Have a plan. Snow plowing arrangements vary by location. Be prepared to dig yourselves out in the event of inclement weather.
• While hunting is not permitted in developed recreation areas like state parks during the regular operating season, hunting is allowed on most state lands in the parks off-season
• Access is free of charge.
  
• Park staff are only present sporadically during the off season. We invite you to be our "eyes and ears" by please reporting to parks@state.vt.us after your visit anything you notice or discover amiss or out of the ordinary (vandalism, break-ins, inappropriate facility use, etc.).

Off Season Parking Access (pdf)
Favorite Parks for Winter Activities
Snowmobiles & ATVs